Bottle carrier



April 30, 1946. I R. H. KERNS BOTTLE CARRIER Filed June 2, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor )Wc/MRD H KEF/ws By I Apn'l 3o, 1946.

v1R. H. KERNS BOTTLE CARRIER Filed June 2, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I nventor cwd /7727725 Patented Apr. 30, 1946 UNITED. STATES PATENT i orifice 2,399,549` BOTTLE CARRIER Richard H. Kerns, Richmond, Ind.

` i f Application June 2, 1945, Serial No. *597,236

` e claims. (o1. 224-48) This invention relates to carriers for beverage bottles such as are generally well known to the trade and are used for conveniently racking and carrying soit drink bottles, or the like, to and from a neighborhood store, and the purpose of the invention is to structurally, functionally and otherwise improve upon known type carriers.

As the introductory statement of the invention sets forth, I am aware that these types of empty and full bottle carriers for short-distance purposes are quite common, that they are often made from light-weight and, in some instances, disposable stock such as cardboard, or the like. In carrying out the present invention, I have in mind a more permanent form of bottle carrier, one to accommodate a half dozen or so bottles, the same characterized by a relatively shallow, light-weight but sturdy tray, and handle means for lifting and transporting same.

More explicitly, I provide a foldable handle attached at its inner end to the median portion of the carrier tray, the mode of attachment being in the form of what may be described as a projectable and retractable longitudinal partition.

Another phase and feature of the invention has to do with a hingedly mounted, foldable handle unit provided with noose-like coiled springs, or the like, which are adapted to embrace the bottle necks and to assist in maintaining the same safely in place during the haul.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is an end elevational view of a multiple bottle carrier constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, that is, a View observing Figure 1 in a direction from right to left.

Figure 3 is a view in perspective with the bottles removed.

Figure 4 is a top plan view.

Figure 5 is a Section on the line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a. reduced view showing how the carriers may be stacked, one upon the other, whenever necessary or desired.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference numerals, it will be seen that the receptacle or tray is of shallow, box-like form and is denoted, generally speaking, by the numeral 1. It is approximately rectangular and includes spaced parallel side walls 8 connected together by end walls 9. The central, upper edge portions of the end walls 9 are slightly heightened, as indicated, and at the vertex of said points I provide a horizontal suspending rod I0. This extends longitudinally through the vertex or crest portions of the end walls.

The handle unit is projectable and retractable and also foldable, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 5. It is generally denoted by the numeral I I and comprises a panel of plastic or appropriate material, this indicated at I2 and having an opening at I3 forming a hand-hole. There is a sleeve mounted in the hand-hole to serve as a handgrip I4. At the lower end the handle panel is provided with a loop-like member I5 which is a sheath as well as a partitioning element.

The part I5 is a sheath in that it embraces and slides and hinges on the rod I0. Thus, the rod I0 is an assembling element as well as a hinge pintle. It follows that the handle unit II can be swung to the out-of-the-way or folded position shown in dotted lines in Figure 5, this for compactness and convenience. When, however, the tray is loaded and is lifted for carrying, the sheath I5 is projected to the extended position shown in Figure l. Here it acts as a partitioning element between the rows of bottles to minimize clinking.

To facilitate maintaining the bottles properly racked for safe carrying, I have found it expedient and practicable to provide means for embracing and confining the neck portions of the bottles. This means is a sort of a noose, as indicated at I6. It is preferably a coiled spring with its end portions securedA to bracket I1, thus dening a pair of half-portions I8 to loop around the bottle necks, as shown in full lines in Figure l. The loops drop down to the somewhat dotted line position here indicated when the tray is set down on a table, or the like.

If it is desired to load the bottle carriers in advance in the store, they can be stacked, one upon the other, as shown to advantage in Figure 6. At this time the handle recedes and is about the same height as the bottles, thus enabling one tray to be placed on the bottle caps of the bottles in the tray below, as brought out. This emphasizes the advantage of the retractable and projectable handle means.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and arrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

1. A bottle carrier of the class described comprising a tray embodying spaced, parallel side walls and end walls, a rod attached to the upper median edge portions of the end wallsand spaced in parallelism from the bottom of the tray, a handle comprising a panel having a loop-like sheath at its lower end, said sheath slidably and hingedly joining said rod, a hand-grip atV 2. A bottle carrier comprising a shallow tray 20 including a bottom with side and end walls', a rod mounted between the median portions of the end walls, a panel, said panel being provided at its lower end with a loop-like sheath, said sheath being hingedly and slidably connected to said rod, the upper end of said panel being apertured and provided with a hand-grip, and coiled spring means mounted on said upper portion and providing noose-like bottle neck embracing elements.

3. A bottle carrier of the class described comprising a tray, a horizontally disposed rod attached to and mounted within the marginal confines of a central portion of said tray, said rod being elevated and spaced from the bottom of the tray, a handle comprising a loop-like sheath at its lower end, said sheath being slidably and hingedly connected with said rod, said handle having a hand-grip at its upper end, and looplike resilient members adapted to -surround the neck portions of bottles to be carried in said tray, said members being connected to the upper end portion of said handle.

RICHARD H. KERNS. 

